Good Counsel developer: We're addressing landfill issue

A scaled down and reconfigured development plan for the former Good Counsel property changes some of the views objected to by neighbors and incorporates part of the convent along with the historic chapel and mansion on the site.
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Rendering of proposed housing development on former Good Counsel property, as seen from Ross Street.(Photo11: submitted)

WHITE PLAINS — The owner of the former Good Counsel property says it is working closely with the state to address the large mound of contaminated landfill on the site, which must be taken care of before any re-development is approved.

WP Development NB LLC hopes to build rental apartments, housing for Pace University law students, a senior care facility and parking on the 16-acre site. The company purchased the 52 North Broadway property from the Sisters of the Divine Compassion for $16.2 million in 2015.

An Aug. 27 agreement between the developer and the state Department of Environmental Conservation calls for a series of soil tests that are expected to begin this week. The developer informed the city of the work in a Sept. 12 letter, which was also provided to The Journal News/lohud.

"We want to be transparent," said Geoff Thompson, the developer's spokesman. "We're aware that when people see activity at the landfill, they're going to wonder what's going on. We want them to know that we're following the order of the DEC and the city."

The 20- to 30-foot mound contains fill that was brought in during construction of a now-gone athletic field for Our Lady of Good Counsel High School between 2004 and 2006. The DEC later found that the fill contained contaminants, putting the site in violation of state environmental laws. A protective barrier was installed over the mound, along with a soil cap. Vegetation was then planted to prevent direct contact with the mound.

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Landfill(Photo11: Richard Liebson/The Journal News)

Nevertheless, the barrier — or geomembrane — has been found to be torn in various places, mostly along a DEC-required fence that was installed before WP Development purchased the property. It will be opened again at different spots to allow for soil test borings, and then repaired.

Residents have mentioned their concerns about the landfill since the project was first made public in 2016. The Stewart/Ross Neighborhood Association, which was formed in response to the development proposal, says the plan is too dense and will create traffic and noise problems.

In response to news of the impending soil testing, Clifford Davis, a lawyer representing residents of the 200-unit 10 StewartPlace apartment building across from the landfill, sent an email to City Hall asking whether all the necessary DEC approvals are in place.

He also asks to be informed immediately when the work begins.

"We are concerned that if the testing technicians have to wear hazmat suits that there are risks to people. Please insure all protocols are followed that no tenants are at risk and please confirm this," Davis' email says.

He told the Journal News/lohud on Monday that residents "are closely monitoring the situation and expect the City and applicant to ensure there are no health hazards to the community during any testing phase."

The city has said several times that the project will not receive final approval until the DEC and Westchester County environmental officials have signed off on the landfill cleanup.

WP Development has scaled down its original proposal, in part to appease residents' concerns about density.

While the first plan contemplated construction of 400 rental apartments totaling 472,000 square feet, the new alternative calls for 370 units occupying 443,000 square feet. The maximum height of the apartment buildings has also been reduced from 140 feet to 110 feet.

Photo shop rendering showing view of proposed Good Counsel property development from North Broadway.(Photo11: submitted)

The proposal also cuts the number of academic housing suites for law students from 70 to 40. The senior care facility, originally to contain 90 units, has been reduced to 82 units

The new plan preserves the iconic 2.7-acre "front lawn" on the North Broadway side of the property. The chapel, and a mansion on the property will also be kept.

Eight other buildings on the site will most likely be torn down, if the demolitions are approved by the city's Historic Preservation Commission. The buildings were designated as local landmarks in May.

The city is currently considering WP Development's draft environmental impact statement for the project. A public hearing is expected to resume next month.